What did you just say to me #1

[WapitiTalk1]

We did some of these about a year ago I think. Let's ressurect them and see what kind of traction/participation they get. Disclaimer: I’ll try to be a descriptive as possible with the scenarios but please understand I can’t cover all the variables potentially encountered in each of the presented situations. For these threads, let’s assume everybody knows what the different elk noises sound like (cow chatter, locater/advertising bugles, screams, chuckles, grunts, alarm barks, nervous or popping grunts, etc.). Remember, it’s all about sharing knowledge from experience, trying to determine a good plan from available information, asking questions, and perhaps, learning a thing or two. Phew! That was long winded. Let’s start this first one.

Scenario: It’s early September and you’ve set up in mid to late afternoon on a well used wallow you found a few days before. This is the first time you’ve hunted it. At this time of the day, the thermals have switched and are gently rising uphill. You’ve set up with some good cover to your back (brush and large downed tree trunk that precludes anything from walking in from behind you) and are sitting behind your Elk Mountain Gear Camo Slip System (plug for Jeff and his cool slip system). You’re sitting above one side of the wallow that allows you some great shooting lanes that range out to about 45 yards. Right about the time you’re seriously considering launching a broad head at an annoying pine squirrel that seems to think he works for ADT, you hear a distant bugle. A few minutes later, you hear the bugle again. The bull seems to be coming your way! Again closing the gap, about 150 yards down and across the basin, a clear “locater bugle” rings through the trees. This dude seems to be on his way to the wallow you’re sitting on! What is this elk communicating and what action, if any, should you take to potentially get a shot?

[Backcountry]

I assume he is asking who else is in there? Two thoughts. He is either going to get no response and move on or is simply asking if anyone else is around and is coming in regardless.

I'm throwing out a few cow calls.

[Triplebhunters]

He's saying I'm coming in if you don't like it leave. Controlled breathing, release is hooked on d loop ready to draw. Just wait for the moment.

[Olydog09]

He's checking for the presence of bulls at the wallow. He wants to come in but a response bugle of any kind will probably send him another direction. I am not sure a cow call would hurt but I would keep quiet like Triple B said.

[pd]

I don't want to thread jack here, but what effect does the ADT pine squirrel have? Would the incoming bull be deterred or alerted by the PITA rodent??

[WapitiTalk1]

I don't want to thread jack here, but what effect does the ADT pine squirrel have? Would the incoming bull be deterred or alerted by the PITA rodent??

Very good question pd! Sent you a PM. This in itself, is worthy of further discussion. Perhaps a new thread?

[Washington Wapiti]

Waaaait for it . . . waaaait for it. I would be really tempted to cow call, but I would for sure give away my position if I did. You risk a hang-up or the bull then coming in cautiously. Better just to ambush! I agree with other's, he's checking to see if others are around.

[Washington Wapiti]

I don't want to thread jack here, but what effect does the ADT pine squirrel have? Would the incoming bull be deterred or alerted by the PITA rodent??

Very good question pd! Sent you a PM. This in itself, is worthy of further discussion. Perhaps a new thread?

I was thinking this too!

[stringunner]

Get ready and stay quiet. Even a cow call can potentially deter this bull from coming in. If he is well on his way and it's obvious he is coming on his own, why make any noises and give him a reason to be on alert? I would not make a sound and see how it plays out.

[BrentLaBere]

Taking note from Swedes book. Stay quiet, stay patient.

Get ready and stay quiet. Even a cow call can potentially deter this bull from coming in. If he is well on his way and it's obvious he is coming on his own, why make any noises and give him a reason to be on alert? I would not make a sound and see how it plays out.

^^^ I agree with stringunner

[zpd307]

I don't want to thread jack here, but what effect does the ADT pine squirrel have? Would the incoming bull be deterred or alerted by the PITA rodent??

Very good question pd! Sent you a PM. This in itself, is worthy of further discussion. Perhaps a new thread?

x2 on making a new thread for this.

[Fridaythe13th]

Be quite and get ready to draw. keep listening to see if the bull is circling down wind.

[Toby]

I alway try to do/call as little as possible, and when I do call I use the lowest amount of confrontation possible, this leaves me options if what I try doesn't work. So, I this case, I am staying quiet as long as he is coming.

[ElkNut1]

I would not call to this bull as he continued to bugle his way towards the wallow, he's wanting to know if anything is there, he will most likely make his way there to check it out or use it himself. I would not cow call either & plant a seed that she may not be alone, there could be a bull there close by to her, this can cause apprehension on his approach, I'd stay silent & let him come in under his terms. If I felt he was passing the wallow by from his last bugle then I'd switch gears & try to draw on his curiosity by raking a tree/brush, pawing the ground & give the wallow a light splash, give him time, I've done similar methods & sometimes they come rushing in & others they show up 10 to 30 minutes later un-announced!

ElkNut1

[easeup]

after reading this thread it sounds just too easy to tag your bull. I wished I knew it 5 yrs ago. I can say from past experience on this one that calling from a water hole when you have heard a bugle in the distance has not worked.